Indian hockey players honoured with Rs 2 lacs each and iPads

Bangalore, Mar 29: Indian hockey team, which qualified for the London Olympics 2012 by winning the Games qualifying tournament recently in New Delhi, was on Thursday felicitated here by the Lalit Hotel group and Hockey India (HI).

All the players were given away cheques of Rs 1 lakh each by Hotel The Lalit CMD Jyotsna Lalit. The support staff received Rs 50,000 each.

Hockey India also honoured the players with Rs 1 Lakh besides an iPad each, while Rs 50,000 each to all the members of support staff along with iPads. There were also gift hampers for the players at a function held at Hotel The Lalit.

After accepting the honour, India's coach Michael Nobbs said the team was looking forward to finish in the top six in London.

"It is really a very tough tournament as best among the hockey playing countries will be in the Olympics. But we are happy that we have an opportunity to fly to London. Realistically, we are looking for a position in top six," he said.

Nobbs said the team will have to chalk out plans on how to play with yellow ball on a Blue turf, that will be used for Olympics.

Captain Bharat Chetri said: "We have certainly seen some progress in the team. Physical trainer David John had been of great help in improving the agility of players who obviously have the skill to play competitive hockey in the international scene."

Sandeep Singh, who was the top scorer in the qualifying tournament, said: "Now our goal is to play to the best of our abilities in Olympics and finish as high as possible. Positive mindset will be the key."